Tag Archives: Alabama

Posted onSeptember 22, 2018|Comments Off on Real climate data exposes misleading New York Times story

“Having built many climate datasets of Alabama, some starting as early as 1850, I knew the Times story was designed to create alarm and promote the claim that humans who use carbon-based energy (gasoline, natural gas, coal) to help them live better lives are making our summers ever more miserable. Be aware reader, this webtool is not designed to provide accurate information.”click here

Comments Off on Real climate data exposes misleading New York Times story

Although small, rural water supplies may present elevated microbial risks to consumers in some settings, characterizing exposures through representative point-of-consumption sampling is logistically challenging. In order to evaluate the usefulness of consumer self-reported data in predicting measured water quality and risk factors for contamination, we compared matched consumer interview data with point-of-survey, household water quality and pressure data for 910 households served by 14 small water systems in rural Alabama. Participating households completed one survey that included detailed feedback on two key areas of water service conditions: delivery conditions (intermittent service and low water pressure) and general aesthetic characteristics (taste, odor and color), providing five condition values. Microbial water samples were taken at the point-of-use (from kitchen faucets) and as-delivered from the distribution network (from outside flame-sterilized taps, if available), where pressure was also measured. Water samples were analyzed for free and total chlorine, pH, turbidity, and presence of total coliforms and Escherichia coli. Of the 910 households surveyed, 35% of participants reported experiencing low water pressure, 15% reported intermittent service, and almost 20% reported aesthetic problems (taste, odor or color). Consumer-reported low pressure was associated with lower gauge-measured pressure at taps. While total coliforms (TC) were detected in 17% of outside tap samples and 12% of samples from kitchen faucets, no reported water service conditions or aesthetic characteristics were associated with presence of TC. We conclude that consumer-reported data were of limited utility in predicting potential microbial risks associated with small water supplies in this setting, although consumer feedback on low pressure-a risk factor for contamination-may be relatively reliable and therefore useful in future monitoring efforts.

Posted onMay 27, 2016|Comments Off on Community Health Impact of Extended Loss of Water Service

Community Health Impact of Extended Loss of Water Service — Alabama, January 2010 MMWR, February 18, 2011, Vol. 60, No. 6

What is already known on this topic? Studies in other countries have identified an association between low pressure events in water distribution systems and gastrointestinal illness; the aging water infrastructure in the United States might increase the risk for similar health effects during main breaks or water-related emergencies that cause loss of pressure throughout the water distribution system.

What is added by this report? In January 2010, in two Alabama communities, persons in households that experienced extended water service interruption were more likely to report acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) than members of unaffected households; this association was particularly significant among persons in households that experienced ≥7 days of loss of water pressure (15.6% reporting AGI), compared with those unaffected by the water emergency (4.3% reporting AGI).

What are the implications for public health practice? Public health agencies might help to prevent or mitigate the health effects from future water emergencies through efforts to improve community and household preparedness and to develop and implement effective communication strategies to reach diverse communities before and during such emergencies.

Comments Off on Community Health Impact of Extended Loss of Water Service

Posted onJanuary 26, 2015|Comments Off on Unsustainable Water System Infrastructure Increases Risk of AGI

These findings are to be expected especially if water pressure is lost or becomes negative in a water distribution system. I must say it always strikes me as very strange when government agents go in to investigate a situation with blinders on, come to a conclusion and then make pronouncements without consideration of all factors. Financial stresses in the community, the cost of other government rules, increasing costs of energy, the poor condition of the national economy, increasing costs of materials, and barriers imposed at the state level all play a role in creating the poor condition of infrastructure in a community. It is easy to say blame the infrastructure and say “fix it”.

In reality it is difficult if not impossible to fix or replace aging infrastructure when key factors are completely ignored by government. Indeed, the fact that infrastructure has deteriorated so much is all the evidence needed to conclude that such infrastructure is unsustainable. Rather than just beg for more free government money (from the printing press) let’s place the root cause of deteriorating infrastructure in its proper perspective. As the old saying goes, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

The drinking water infrastructure in the United States is ageing; extreme weather events place additional stress on water systems that can lead to interruptions in the delivery of safe drinking water. We investigated the association between household exposures to water service problems and acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) and acute respiratory illness (ARI) in Alabama communities that experienced a freeze-related community-wide water emergency. Following the water emergency, investigators conducted a household survey. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for self-reported AGI and ARI by water exposures. AGI was higher in households that lost water service for ≥7 days (aPR 2·4, 95% CI 1·1-5·2) and experienced low water pressure for ≥7 days (aPR 3·6, 95% CI 1·4-9·0) compared to households that experienced normal service and pressure; prevalence of AGI increased with increasing duration of water service interruptions. Investments in the ageing drinking water infrastructure are needed to prevent future low-pressure events and to maintain uninterrupted access to the fundamental public health protection provided by safe water supplies. Households and communities need to increase their awareness of and preparedness for water emergencies to mitigate adverse health impacts.

Posted onJune 14, 2012|Comments Off on Wastewater plant in Uniontown (Alabama) is unsustainable?

Well, an overloaded wastewater plant……industries not paying their fair share (sounds like a Democrat talking point)…..well perhaps industry needs to pay more…..but federal or state funding using free money is not sustainable…..perhaps a loan, and rate adjustment….click here for more…..

Comments Off on Wastewater plant in Uniontown (Alabama) is unsustainable?

Posted onJanuary 8, 2012|Comments Off on Press Spin: Scare people with old news mixed with non-news

This article is quite remarkable….it begins with reminding people about DDT contamination decades ago, and then says “tap water is contaminated because lead is found”……This type of reporting is completely irresponsible….but expect more of it as liberal activists try to boost drinking water and environmental issues into the election-year lime light….click here for the article…

Comments Off on Press Spin: Scare people with old news mixed with non-news